News: UN Secretary General paid tributes to Brigadier General Amitabh Jha of India, who died serving as the Deputy Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observation Force (UNDOF) in Golan Heights. 

About UNDOF

• It was established in 1974 by the United Nations Security Council following the Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria. 
• It operates in the Golan Heights, a rocky plateau strategically located in south-western Syria. 
• Its headquarters is located at Camp Faouar. 
• Mandate: 
  • Maintain ceasefire between Israel and Syria 
  • Oversee the disengagement of Israel and Syrian forces as per the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement 
  • Supervise the areas of separation and limitation 
    • Area of separation is a demilitarised zone, which is controlled by UNDOF 
    • Area of limitation is an area where Israeli and Syrian troops and equipments are limited 
• Its mandate is reviewed after every 6 months, recently being extended till June 2025.